Jennifer Betit Yen
Actor, "Recovering" Attorney and Author
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No, I'm OK

6/16/2018

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​It was Saturday night and my significant other and I had reservations for a Mexican restaurant we love, however, as the time neared, neither of us felt hungry so we rescheduled and decided to go see Deadpool 2, in need of a little comedy.  We thought we’d be old school and just walk to the theatre and buy tickets there, however, when we arrived at the theatre, the show was completely sold out.  The theatre was near a large grocery store so I said, “Well, let’s take the lemons and make lemonade and just get our weekly grocery shopping out of the way.”   
 
As we entered, we saw a group of paramedics escorting an elderly Asian American woman through the store towards the entrance.  At first, I thought nothing more than, “Oh, I hope she’s ok” and was going to go about my merry shopping way when I realized something was off about the situation. The little old lady kept waving her hands and shaking her head “no” to two of the paramedics, who had their hands on her but weren’t supporting her, as I had first assumed, but instead were forcefully moving her to the store exit against her will.  The little elderly lady was digging her heels in, clearly upset, but also clearly unable to speak or understand English. I stopped and backtracked to where the group was, listening.  The paramedics were telling the woman she “had to go to the hospital” and that she “had to” get into an ambulance outside.  The woman was trying to free herself, with a look of panic.  I saw my grandma in that lady and a hundred other grandmas who might not want traditional western care, who might not be able to afford ridiculously inflated emergency room bills, who feel bullied by a bunch of people in uniforms authoritatively telling them what they “have” to do.  
 
I marched over and said loudly, “She has the right to reject medical care if she wants to.  She’s an adult woman and appears competent and autonomous and able to walk fine by herself.”  The two paramedics who were physically pulling the woman quickly jerked their hands off her and turned on me, telling me I didn’t know what I was talking about and to back away, and that the woman had fallen and should go to the hospital.  I said, “I understand and I appreciate it if you want to make sure she’s ok physically, but she clearly doesn’t understand you and doesn’t want to go with you so you need to get a translator on the phone to explain the situation to her so she can make her own decision.  It’s not your right to make the decision for her when she’s capable of making it herself.” 
 
At that point, a police officer got right in my face and told me to leave immediately.  I simply looked at him and said, “No, I have a right to be here and I am not doing anything wrong.”  He turned his back on me to box me out and left his Taser completely open for me if I had wanted to grab it (which I didn’t).  I was sorely tempted to comment on the ill-advised nature of his move but I bit my tongue.  It broke my heart a little that this particular police officer (and others I have met in NYC have been great so I hope this officer was just an exception to the rule and not the norm) was normalizing the bullying instead of doing his job to ensure the elderly lady's rights were being respected.
 
 A different paramedic – I’ll just call her the 3rd paramedic – told me they were just trying to get the woman help. I told the 3rd paramedic that I understood, but that the little old woman didn’t and that was what needed to be remedied. In the meantime, the first two paramedics kept yelling at the little old woman, “DO YOU UNDERSTAND?  YOU NEED TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL!!” louder and louder and louder, as though by increasing their volume, they’d somehow create language comprehension in a non-English speaker.  I spoke up again, saying, “She clearly doesn’t understand you and saying the same thing louder isn’t going to help.  You need a translator.”  The first two paramedics clearly wanted to kill me, but the 3rd one, who had been talking with me, agreed with me and they got a translator on the phone to talk to the woman.  
 
I explained to the sympathetic 3rd paramedic that I didn’t want to cause a problem for them and I understood they were doing an important job, but I also wanted them to be cognizant of the fact this is a scared, little old lady who doesn’t speak English.  “Look, “ I pointed out.  “She’s shaking with fear and there are FIVE uniformed people crowding all around her and shouting at her in a language she doesn’t know.”  The 3rd paramedic looked and acknowledged that the situation could be improved.  She pulled the others off and said, “Give her some breathing room.”  After a call with the translator, it was made clear the lady was declining further medical assistance so the first two paramedics finally backed off and everyone went on their way.
 
I got back to my grocery shopping and the store security manager came up to me and thanked me for helping the lady.  I was like, “Yeah, I just thought she was kind of being bullied and I get that everyone probably wanted to help and do the right thing, but they needed to do it in the right way – where the lady was informed and able to properly consent or not, as she chose.  I’m not a doctor or a paramedic – I don’t know, medically, what’s best for anyone. All I know is that, in the same situation, I would want to be treated with respect and I would want the situation explained to me in a way I understood and then I would want to be allowed to make my own decision about my own care, so that’s what I tried to ensure for the little old lady.”
 
Afterwards, my significant other was like, “I guess the universe decided you just had to go off defending old ladies in grocery stores instead of enjoying a new restaurant or seeing Deadpool.  Can we at least try to get through the grocery shopping without any more adventures?” Hey, Honey, at least it’s never boring, right?!

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Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica

6/15/2018

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I went to Costa Rica in May and took a class on medicinal plants.  It was incredible and I learned a ton.  It’s way too much information for a blog post, however, I just want to share a few cool things I learned that might be helpful to you!

1.  Carao for Energy and Anemia

My first experience with carao was while I was hiking through the jungle.  I had a guide with me and I noticed a plethora of little monkeys eating what looked like dark brown pea pods.  I asked about them and the guide explained the monkeys were eating carao, found in pods on the trees.  The “pods” ate quite hard and the monkeys have to bang them and break them to access the edible portion within.  The guide mentioned off-hand that Costa Rican hospitals give carao to patients who are sick from chemotherapy to help them recover.  Later, in my medicinal plants class, I studied carao in more depth.  It can also be used to increase energy and, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, seems to help strengthen the blood and fight anemia as well.  You can buy the fruit syrup from the Standish Company LLC if you’re not lucky enough to be in Costa Rica, where a monkey may just throw one of the pods at you (that actually happened to me) for free.  The syrup from the fruit is REALLY strong.  I find the smell kind of noxious – like a sweaty locker room.  If you hold your nose, though, the taste isn’t half bad.  If you like molasses, you’ll probably like carao.  If you don’t like the strength, you can always mix it into warm water or milk for a tea or latte.  I find it’s a good energy booster and helps me recover faster after an intense athletic workout.  Tp buy it, just use the link at the end of this blog post or ask for it at your local health food store.

2.  Coconut to Regulate Thyroid Function

The teacher, who is a herbalist and healer, told me that about 1 T of coconut oil (virgin, raw, unrefined, and organic) helps to regulate thyroid function.  I checked other sources later and many confirmed that as a way to use coconut oil.  Who knew?! I have several friends with thyroid disorders so I told them about this and they’re trying it out to see if it works. If you try it, please let me know if it works for you and, as always, remember this is NOT medical advice and I am not a doctor.  Sorry. Had to say that just in case!

3.  Pau d’Arco for Skin

​Pau d'arco is a tree whose bark and wood are often used to make medicine for everything from cancer to diabetes to stomach ulcers.  In my class, the teacher focused on its benefits to the skin, such as its help in reducing eczema and increasing skin health generally.  She made a little tincture out of organic Pau d'arco.  You can also take it in tea form, but be careful not to take too much.  Everything in moderation (and, again, I’m not a doctor and this isn’t medical advice).  To buy it, just use the link at the end of this blog or ask for it at your local health food store.
 
There were so many other plants to learn about and, if this is an area that interests you, I highly recommend the book “Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica” by Ed Bernhardt for more information.  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/medicinal-plants-of-costa-rica-ed-bernhardt/1008720108

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Costa Rica Experience

6/15/2018

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How do I love Costa Rica?  Let me count the ways!  
 
1.  They care and protect their environment – flora and fauna!   Costa Rica has devoted an estimated 26% of its land to national parks, wildlife reserves and protected lands making it a top eco-tourism destination.  https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/ecotourism.asp
 
2.  You can see amazing wildlife from monkeys to boas to anteaters living their normal, happy lives in normal, happy ways – e.g., NOT in a zoo or a cage.  #EmptyTheCages  Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve are viewed as “models for ecotourism and sustainable development. These parks offer critical habitat to various plant and animal species. The major reason of ecotourism’s success in Costa Rica goes to the active participation of the private sector, exceptional biodiversity and the interaction between the comprehensive protected areas network. The international and national NGOs, local businesses, natives and government organizations also play a major part in the success of the ecotourism programs.”  Id.  
 
3.  The amount and diversity of the wildlife is just, well, stunning.  “Costa Rica has been ranked among the world’s best ecotourism destinations on more than one occasion, and became the first country in the Americas to ban hunting in 2012. As a result, its biodiversity is virtually unparalleled.”  https://greenglobaltravel.com/ecotourism-in-costa-rica/
 
4.  There is so much to see and do, you just can’t get bored.  “Costa Rica encompasses a diverse array of ecosystems, from cloud forests and rainforests to wetlands and coastal marine areas.”  Id.
 
When to Go
 
I went to Costa Rica at the start of the so-called rainy season in late May and stayed at the incredible Waterfall Villas.  Basically, I was in a fancy treehouse in the middle of a jungle in a tiny retreat specializing in local, organic, vegan cuisine.  Color me happy!  https://waterfallvillas.com
 
For those of you who like privacy, I highly recommend May because the tourist traffic is low and, although it rained, I loved it.  We planned all our adventures (white water rafting, waterfall hiking, national park treks, etc.) for the morning.  The sun was always shining and the wildlife is prolific then.  The rains start in the late afternoon.  It’s still warm so we swam in the waterfalls in the rain, but, honestly, we were so active in the mornings with long hikes and ziplining and rafting, that we were pretty exhausted by the time the rain started. At night, in the treehouse – again, in the middle of a jungle! – the thunderstorms were just awesome.  Like, the best ever, and we could see the frogs come out and the air fill with electricity.  It was exciting!
 
Where to Stay
 
Waterfall Villas was lovely for anyone who wants a private retreat focusing on sustainability, beauty, harmony, and amazing food.  There is yoga outside overlooking the waterfalls, a couple of hiking trails among the falls and in the jungle, and about 6 villas which are like little treehouses.  The dining area is a gorgeous open-air terrace overlooking the falls and the food is all local, organic and they specialize in vegan cuisine.  I have never felt healthier or more energized. You certainly won’t leave hungry. The only downside is sound carries between the villa treehouses, so, if you like it very quiet, travel off-season when there will be fewer people or control the crowd by booking all 6 villas at once for your family and/or friends.  
 
They’ll customize a retreat for you with whatever you want from yoga to detox.  Just to give you an idea of what you can do, my significant other and I customized ours to include a mix of adventure, downtime and education: 
 
Adventure
We went white water rafting, ziplining and hiking (and swimming) through the Nauyaca Waterfalls, hiking through multiple national parks, including the not-to-be-missed MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK, which is ranked by Forbes as one of the world’s most beautiful national parks – for good reason!  And explored the incredible Hacienda Baru wildlife refuge (where anteaters, sloths, monkeys, and more traipsed by on their merry way while we stared in amazement).  We also did our ziplining in the Hacienda Baru wildlife refuge, which was so much fun. Seeing the jungle from above, while whizzing through the air is indescribable and you don’t have to worry about harming the environment or stressing the trees or animals because the staff takes every precaution to ensure the environment and animals are protected above all.
 
Downtime
We had incredible massages outside on the banks of the waterfalls, in the middle of a vast jungle. An experience not to be missed. We also did a lot of relaxing in the waterfalls and on the beach.  I will say be careful.  With the fabulousness of being “in the wild,” comes the need to exercise proper diligence. There are venomous snakes and biting insects, so you do have to just be careful.  A bit of bug spray (I used an all-natural insect repellant with rosemary, lavender, citronella, and some other essential oils, which worked well for me) is an absolute must.  Also, on the snakes:  On my last day in Costa Rica, I hiked into the jungle and rested in the middle of some waterfalls where the water was light and there were dry rocks available in the center between the two banks. I took off my water shoes (Reefs, which, by the way, I bought 20 years ago(!!) in Australia for about $10 and have held up amazingly) and meditated in the sun. I know it sounds silly but I asked a question of the universe and immediately I felt like someone was there and opened my eyes and not three feet away was a Terciopelo (“velvet” in Spanish), about 5’ long. Terciopelos are venomous and, I think, part of the pit viper family. The snake was partially coiled, however, her upper body was straight up in the air (kind of like how one often sees cobras depicted) and she was looking right at me. At first I thought, I am so lucky to see her so close! Then I thought, wait! What is proper Terciopelo etiquette? Do I look back at her or will that be perceived as aggressive? Do I freeze? Move? I didn’t know what to do so I just looked at her. She tilted her head slightly towards me and I decided it might be prudent to leave. I very very slowly put my shoes back on while she watched and slowly, slowly waded to the opposite bank. On the bank, I paused and looked at her. She lowered her upper body and moved to the other bank, wrapped herself around a low hanging vine, watched me another moment and vanished. I can’t help but wonder if she was answering my question. 
 
Educational
I took advantage of the fact I was in an awesomely unique place that actually prioritizes the protection of its natural resources and took a class on the medicinal plants of Costa Rica.  I’m blogging about some of the interesting things I learned in another blog post. Suffice it to say, my Manhattan kitchen is now full of Costa Rican plants and concoctions!
 
To sum it all up: Costa Rica is awesome, awesome, awesome. I can’t believe I waited so long to go there.  It’s fantastic!!!!!!

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The Math Professor Who Gave Me a Back Massage

6/14/2018

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Today, I went to a tiny tui na massage place that offers very cheap, no frills massages.  For those of you who don’t know, tui na (pronounced "twee naw") refers to a wide range of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapeutic massage and body work. There are a ton of small, simple tui na places all over New York City, usually staffed by Asian American immigrants who work extremely long hours for very little money.  To give you an idea of the pricing, a 90 minute massage at the place I go to costs only $70.  You can imagine how little the actual massage therapist is getting after the business’s cut and overhead.  
 
Anyway, I went there and got a massage from a woman who appeared in her late 40’s and extremely polished and professional.  She was dressed very nicely and looked more like a business woman than a masseuse. The massage was great and, afterwards, I asked her a little about herself.  
 
It turns out this woman was a high-level university professor of mathematics in China.  She came to the United States, like so many who hope for a better life with greater personal liberty and political freedoms.  However, she found herself lost in a system that is stacked against non-English speakers.  Because her English isn’t great, she couldn’t even get interviews for math professor positions and she ended up in this tiny tui na room, giving 90 minute massages for $70 an hour.  She didn’t tell me this in a “I feel so sorry for myself” way at all. She was happy to be here.  She was just telling her story because I kept asking her and she told it in a simple “this is the way it is” or “that’s life!” manner.  However, it was obvious she’d prefer teaching math to college students to giving massages.
 
I don’t know if any of you watch the TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale” on Hulu, based on the Margaret Atwood novel.  If you haven’t read the novel or watched the show, I highly recommend both.  In the story, far-right fundamentalist Christian extremists take over the United States and force women into subservient roles that meet their idea of “traditional values,” such as handmaids (women who were sexually “loose” before and are now used in ritual rape ceremonies to produce babies for the high ranking officers in the new country), “Martha’s” (domestic servants), and so on.  In one episode, we learn one of the Martha’s was, before the takeover, the most preeminent neonatologist in the country.  Now, she’s cooking meals and scrubbing floors – basically a slave.
 
While this woman in the massage place was telling me her story, I couldn’t help but think of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”  Here was an extremely well educated, professional woman, a university mathematics professor and, in her new country, she is relegated to giving strangers discount massages.  Atwood’s dystopian fantasy seems like it is becoming a bit too real.
 
On that note, I have seen – as I’m sure you have too - a proliferation of amateur videos posted of racist Americans engaging in classless, base racist tirades against their fellow citizens over the past few months.  Most recently, I had the displeasure of watching a racist white woman hurl disgusting vitriol at an Asian woman in a nail salon
(https://asamnews.com/2018/06/11/customer-stands-up-for-nail-salon-worker-hit-by-racist-tirade/).   
 
This also made me think of the woman in the massage place.  The trashy racist throwing vitriol shouldn’t be engaging in such abusive, low-class behavior regardless of whether the person she’s hurting is a nail salon worker or a professor of mathematics, however, it’s worth thinking about the fact that the nail salon worker, like the masseuse, probably has a story about who she is, why she immigrated here, what she gave up to do it, how she has worked and struggled, what she is capable of.  Challenges that I’m guessing the racist white woman never gave a thought to.
 
After I spoke to the woman at the massage place, I gave her some resources relating to a Chinese program I know of at CUNY in the hopes that there might be teaching positions where she could actually teach in her native tongue.  I also connected her with New York City’s free English classes, which are a great resource that, in my experience, no immigrants know about (we need to get the word out!) - https://www.nypl.org/events/classes/english and https://wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/ run by the New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
 
I write this in the hopes that those of you, like me, who feel confident and comfortable, able to communicate with ease, will remember that not everyone is as lucky and that the people who may not speak English as well as you, who are rubbing your feet and painting your nails and serving you food and sweeping your floors, are all multi-faceted human beings with stories to tell.   So, get the word out about the free classes, be respectful, don’t assume, and help when and where you can.  Why not? Why not be a good person?
 
Doing good will make you happy.  Going back to those racist tirade videos, nobody with any sense looking at those frothing racists thinks those racists are happy. They’re miserable people, perpetuating their misery on others, trying to rationalize their cruelty with stupidity. Don’t be those people.


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Protein-Packing for Dinner

6/13/2018

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Stacking - or combining - plant proteins maximizes your protein intake.  I created two easy dinner recipes to provide a healthy and tasty dose of protein.  Enjoy!

Savory and Rich Adzuki Beans and Red Rice 

I love adzuki beans because they're light and sweet.  Place whatever serving size you'd like of BOTH the adzuki beans and red rice* (1 cup of dry adzuki beans is usually good for two people, 1/2 cup of rice) in a bowl of water, including a couple of spoonfuls of miso, shaved ginger root (fresh, please), a teaspoon of tamari.  Leave the water overnight.

The next day, drain the rice and adzuki mixture and place in a pot.  Add 4 cups of veggie broth, a drop more miso and tamari and more fresh grated ginger.  Bring the mixture to a boil and then cover and simmer on low for about an hour.  While this is simmering, scrub a yam or sweet potato and pop it in the oven to bake for about 45 minutes to an hour at 400 degrees F.

When the rice and adzuki mixture is ready, fluff it and arrange it on serving plates.  Dice the yam and divide the pieces among the serving plates, mixing it into the adzuki and rice for sweetness.

*You can substitute black or brown rice.  l find red rice has the richest flavor in this recipe.

Light and Herbal Chickpea and Quinoa Combo

If you're looking for light and refreshing, this is a good one!  Rinse and soak your quinoa and chickpeas overnight (whatever serving size you want - usually 1 cup dry is good for 2 people) in a bowl of water mixed with a spoonful of Bee-Free Honee (https://store.veganessentials.com/bee-free-honee-vegan-honey-substitute-p3733.aspx) and a pinch of vanilla bean powder or a sliced vanilla pod.

The next day, put the quinoa and chickpea mixture in fresh veggie broth and cook per the instructions on the quinoa box.  Set it aside and chop up one apple per person you're cooking for.  Boil the chopped apples for about 5 minutes and set aside.  Clean and chop some fresh zucchini (however much you need for the number of people you're cooking for) and pop it into a saucier with some raw, cold-pressed coconut oil and Herbes de Provence, and add in the quinoa, apple and chickpeas.  Sauté on medium heat for 5-8 minutes, until you reach your desired texture and serve immediately.  Yum!




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A Multi-Sum Game

6/8/2018

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I had the honor of giving some brief welcoming remarks at a filmmaking competition launch party in New York City and decided to focus on positivity, self empowerment and the choice to move up the ladder together, as opposed to viewing the entertainment industry as a one-winner-takes-all, zero-sum game.  Here are my remarks:

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2018 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition!  If you can believe it, the Film Lab has now been running educational, networking and film and TV production projects for TWENTY YEARS and it’s pretty incredible to see how our members and filmmakers grow in quality and work ethic every year.  The Shootout is designed to give everyone from newbies to professional filmmakers the opportunity to make a short film over 72 hours that could give them access to film festivals and TV networks they may not otherwise have access to. The Shootout provides a platform for faces, voices and stories that are often marginalized or silenced by mainstream media and we take it even further by hooking up our top filmmakers and actors with mentorships or screen tests at networks like ABC and NBC – opportunities rarely obtained for just 3 days of work on a 5 minute film.  

I was actually in a room with one of our judges, Marci Phillips, the Executive Director of Casting for ABC, last weekend and she gave me a copy of her book ‘The Present Actor.’ In it, she talks, in part, about the negativity and competitiveness the entertainment industry can produce – for example, when we wish ill on others, resent their successes and treat the industry like a one-winner-takes-all game.  As Marci noted in her book, this is a terrible and self-destructive way to view the profession.  

At the Film Lab, we believe in collaboration and helping one another move up the ladder together, in supporting one another and respecting each other.  Look around the room.  You could view these people as competition or you could realize that everyone here is a potential colleague, a potential teammate, a potential collaborator. We believe the world is what you make it – quite literally in the sense of the Shootout.  When you create your films, all the power is in your hands to create the stories you’ve always wanted to write and the characters you’ve always wanted to play.  You don’t have to wait for someone else to do it for you.  The Shootout empowers you to do it for yourself and then ensures your work is seen by judges as amazing as ABC’s Marci.

Obviously, if you make the top ten in this competition, you win big.  You can get screened at AAIFF, televised across the country, and have the opportunity to be mentored by NBC executives, among other things.  However, even if you don’t make the top ten, you still win. You win free access to networking and educational programming at the Film Lab.  The Film Lab is like a gym membership – it only works if you use it. So, use it!  Come to the events.  Meet people. Create amazing works of art.  Have fun.  You’ll get out of it what you put into it.  Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce the 2018 Shootout Coordinator and our own AAFL TV editor, Jatin Chhugani.

If you'd like to listen to all the opening remarks, click here
​

For the opening remarks PLUS the opening act off the night - a live musical performance by the amazing Kash - click here


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    Jen Yen

    Actor, Author, Attorney
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    Food
    Adzuki Beans
    Beauty Bars To Go
    Calamari, Vegan
    Carrot Cake
    Cauliflower Pizza Crust
    Ceviche, Vegan
    CHEESE, for the Love of
    Charcoal Drink
    Chinese (Vegan Dim Sum) Food
    Chinese (Veggie style) Food
    Chickpea  and Quinoa Combo
    Chocolate Cake (flourless w protein)
    Chocolate, Hot
    Crab Recipes, Vegan
    Crackers 
    COFFEE!!

    Comfort Food
    Cookbook Author Charity Bratz
    Crispy "Rice" with sweet "sashimi"
    Detox Bars To Go
    Detox Drink
    Dim Sum in NYC

    Easy Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
    Eating Organic
    Energy Bars To Go

    Foods to Fight  Inflammation
    Herbivore In Hawaii
    Holistic Health

    Hosting a Vegan Wine'n Cheese
    Hot Chocolate
    Best Baked Potato Ever

    Bok Choy Mushroom Stir Fry
    Let's Eat
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Meat Lover Guide to Delicious Noshing
    Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica
    Mofongo 
    Nickel Allergy
    Nickel Allergy Cookbook
    Octopus and Calamari, Vegan
    Organic
    Pasta Alfredo
    Pizza 

    Plant Based Eating
    Plated:  An Environmental Nightmare
    Protein-Packing for Dinner
    Protein Crispy Rice "Sashimi"
    Rice, Crispy
    Sashimi
    Scallops, Vegan
    Seafood, Vegan

    A Shorter Save the World
    Shrimp, Vegan

    Souvlaki
    Squid, Vegan

    Strawberry, Thyme & Lemongrass Tart
    Summer Sips and Snacks
    Sushi
    Thanksgiving

    The Best Nom Noms
    Vegan Brunch
    Vegan Dining in NYC
    Vegan in Vail

    Vegan Mexican
    Vegetarian Thanksgiving
    Water

    Yummy Deliciousness

    Gender
    Activist Thor: Guest Blog
    Arts & Activism: Why Representation Matters
    Beauty
    Bitch
    Cre8ing in Isolation
    #FemicidioEsGenocidio
    Just Noise
    Me Too ... Part I
    Me Too...Part II
    MeToo...Part III:  If You See Something, Say Something
    Micro-Expressions of Sexism at the Gym
    Normalizing Gender Based Violence
    Playing with the Boys
    Real History
    Sorry Not Sorry
    The "Myth"(?) of Women Backstabbers

    Interviews
    40 by 40 with Jennifer Gabriel
    Alex Dabagh, Upcycled Luxury Totes
    Cookbook Author Charity Bratz

    Cre8ing in Isolation
    DIY Beauty Tips from Jackeline Velasco
    Holistic Health w Dr. Anna Folckomer
    Immigrants:  We Are Them.  They Are Us
    Marci Phillips on how to Enjoy the Ride
    Meditation Tips from Lisa Barcelo

    What's Your Story?  Paul Leach
    What's Your Story? Alex Chu
    What's Your Story?  Kiyun Sung
    What's Your Story?  Sean Lea
    What's Your Story?  Myra Sito Velasquez
    Wha's Your Story?  Allan Tsao
    What's Your Story? Christina Jun
    What's Your Story?  Kevin Chew
    What's Your Story?  Katherina Filaseta
    ​

    Race
    Are You Angry?
    Arts & Activism: Why Representation Matters
    Amplifying Underrepresented Voices in Film

    Colorblind
    Cre8ing in Isolation
    Did He Deserve It?
    Does Race Matter?

    Hint of an "Asian American Accent"
    Immigrants:  We Are Them.  They Are Us
    Immigrants:  Homeland by April Xiao
    Immigrants: Not Quite by Ada Cheng
    Immigrants: Home of the Brave by Avantika Rao
    Immigrants:  George by Riti Sachdeva
    Lhasa Apso by Roman Sotelo
    Immigrants:  A Story by Rosa Soy
    Immigrants:  A Story by Valery Valtrain
    Immigrants:  Us me vs. Them ME by Widelyne Laporte
    Immigrants:  No, I'm OK

    In Defense of Eddie Huang
    Normalizing Gender Based Violence
    Real History
    Remedial Race Education
    The Math Professor who Gave Me a Back Massage
    What's in a Name?
    Who is Chloe Wang and Does it Matter?
    #YellowFace
    Welcome to the New Normal
    White Supremacy, The Irony of
    Words Matter: Mirror
    Words Matter:  Language


    Reviews
    Airbnb
    Health Care: Forward
    Mirror
    Movies to Watch
    Renovation
    Restaurants


    Travel & Adventure
    Airbnb
    Allergic to Delta
    (aka Allergies and Air Travel)
    Costa Rica
    Eco-Friendly Commuting
    Herbivore in Hawaii

    Kilimanjaro
    Santorini in 4 Parts:
    Santorini I:  When and What to Bring
    Santorini II: The Food
    Santorini III: Adventure
    Santorini IV: Relax and Spa
    SeaWorld:  An Open Letter

    The Maldives
    Traveling and One's Face
    40 before 40
    Vegan in Vail


    Misc Mayhem
    A Despot for the Holidays
    A Lobster Tale
    A Love Letter
    Animal Experimentation

    A Shorter Save the World
    Atonement
    Catching Kindness

    Chemical Catastrophe
    Chemical-Free DIY Household Cleaners
    Christmas Lesson
    Closing the Loop: Plastic and Luxury Bags
    Consumer, Thoughtful
    Ditch the Plastic
    Don't Hurt the Baby - Animal 
    Experimentation
    Don't Let Cruelty Kill Kindness

    Energy 
    Eco-Friendly Commuting
    Friends
    G19:  When Subtracting Adds to the Whole
    Garden/Green Space
    Je Suis Charlie
    Just Noise
    The Knockout Renovation TKO
    Larry Lee on Father's Day
    Movies to Watch

    My Mortifying Victoria's Secret Swimsuit Moment
    No, I'm OK
    Ode to Nice People
    Oils for Your Skin
    Raymond Betit, The Family Man
    Recycling
    Save The World
    SeaWorld:  An Open Letter
    The C Word
    The Safety Pin and the Nazi
    The Soldier Poet
    Upcycled Luxury Totes
    Welcome to the New Normal
    What's in the 
    Water?

    Other Categories

    All
    Acting
    Writing & Producing

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